Top 7 Reasons Why It’s Better to Rent a Camper Than Buy One for Short Trips

If you are getting ready for a short jaunt through Australia’s beautiful Outback, you may be on the fence about whether it makes more sense to choose campervan rental or buy one for the trip. While there are arguments in both directions, ultimately it makes a lot more sense to rent. If you end up taking a lot of trips in the future, buying a campervan may eventually be a good decision, but for now, renting will save you money and give you perspective.

1. Roadside assistance is included in the price.

What if your camper breaks down while you are on your trip? When you rent a campervan, roadside assistance is included, typically for free. For no additional cost, you can enjoy peace of mind, knowing that help will be there if you need it.

You can of course get roadside assistance for a camper that you own as well, but you will be paying for it out of your own pocket as part of your insurance. And that brings us to the next point.

2. Insurance is taken care of.

What is the most expensive outlay for any vehicle over time? For many campervan owners, insurance premiums are where the costs really add up. Even for an inexpensive used campervan, you are going to be paying each month to keep your insurance up to date, whether you are actively driving the vehicle or not. And if all you are doing is taking it out on the occasional short trip, your RV is going to be sitting in your driveway for most of the year.

When you rent a camper, you do not need to purchase insurance for the vehicle. The vehicle is insured by the rental agency, and the cost is usually packaged into the quote.

3. You do not need to worry about maintenance, repairs, registration fees, and other ongoing ownership costs.

Insurance is not the only ongoing cost associated with vehicle ownership. Just think about all the money you spend maintaining and repairing your other vehicles. If you buy a campervan, you will be responsible for its continuous upkeep. That means regular maintenance and repair work (which can add up fast), plus you will have to keep your registration up to date, so that is an added expense.

You do not need to worry about any of that when you rent a camper! The rental agency takes care of the upkeep on the vehicle. Obviously you need to make sure you return it undamaged, but the rest of the year, it is not your responsibility. You just hop in for your short trip and have a great time!

4. You do not need to deal with parking restrictions.

Depending on where you live, parking a campervan could be an issue. Some neighborhoods, especially gated communities, have quite a few restrictions on what you can park in their lots.

This is just one more hassle you do not need to worry about when you rent a camper instead of buying one.

5. Renting is much cheaper than buying.

For a luxury campervan, it is not uncommon to pay more than $90,000. Do you really want to pay that much money for a vehicle which is going to be sitting unused for 358 days of the year?

Compared to that, the cost of renting a campervan is extremely cheap. And you are only paying for what you really need. Ultimately that means you have a lot more money to spend on other things—like future vacations.

In other words, you may actually get out and about more if you stick with campervan rentals instead of buying a camper outright.

6. You can rent a campervan with premium features you might not be able to afford otherwise.

If you were going to buy a campervan, how much of a budget would you have available to spend? What kind of camper would it buy you? A luxurious one which is fully stocked with all the amenities you need for a comfortable vacation, or a bare bones budget camper in need of repairs?

If you rent instead of buy, you can go for the top quality. You will get a campervan which drives more smoothly and which includes a functional kitchenette, cozy beds, and beautiful design.

7. You can find out whether buying a campervan is really for you.

If you still are thinking seriously about buying a campervan, look at it this way. A vacation in a rented camper is a great opportunity to test drive your idea before you commit to it. So many people who go out and buy campers end up with buyer’s remorse as they look at their expensive vehicle languishing in the driveway each day. Not only do they not get enough use out of it, but they may realize that they would have preferred to buy a full-size motorhome or go a different route altogether.

Renting a campervan gives you a chance to preview what it would be like to own one. If you discover that you love it, you can think more seriously about buying one. You will also have a much better idea what features to shop for.

Now you know 7 great reasons to rent a camper for your next short trip instead of buying one. You will save a ton of money, avoid a lot of headaches, and enjoy a worry-free vacation. You can also find out by renting a campervan whether it would really be worth it to you to purchase one someday!